Brian Reese the VA Claims Insider here with the latest update on the top 10 high-value VA disability claims commonly rated at 50% or higher right now.
Whether you’re dealing with mental or physical issues, understanding these ratings can be a total game-changer in your fight for the benefits you deserve.
We’ll explore the list in detail and break down the ratings you could receive for these common VA disability claims.
Let’s begin!
Table of Contents
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List of 10 VA Claims Commonly Rated at 50 Percent or Higher
- Mental Health Conditions: Up to 100%
- Sleep Apnea: Up to 100%
- Meniere’s Syndrome: Up to 100%
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Up to 100%
- Radiculopathy: Up to 90%
- Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve: Up to 80%
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Up to 80%
- Peripheral Neuropathy is 80%
- Flat Feet: Up to 50%
- Headaches: Up to 50%
#1. Mental Health Conditions: Rated Up to 100%
Veterans with service-connected mental health conditions such as PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and adjustment disorder can receive disability ratings from 0% to 100%. The ratings depend on the severity of symptoms and their impact on occupational and social impairment. A 100% rating indicates total occupational and social impairment, often due to symptoms like severe panic attacks, continuous depression affecting independent function, or an inability to perform daily activities without assistance. These conditions significantly affect a veteran’s ability to maintain relationships, employment, and overall quality of life.
VA Rating Percentages for Mental Health: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%. The most common rating is 70%.
#2. Sleep Apnea: Rated Up to 100%
Sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts, can be service-connected if it is caused or made worse by military service or another service-connected disability for secondary service connection. Ratings for sleep apnea can reach up to 100%, primarily if the condition is severe enough to require the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or causes significant health issues. Symptoms include loud snoring, episodes of stopped breathing during sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness, severely affecting a veteran’s health and daily functioning.
VA Rating Percentages for Sleep Apnea: 0%, 30%, 50%, and 100%. The most common rating is 50%.
#3. Meniere’s Syndrome: Rated Up to 100%
Meniere’s syndrome, a disorder affecting the inner ear, can lead to vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. Veterans with severe, frequent attacks of vertigo, accompanied by tinnitus and hearing impairment, can receive disability ratings up to 100%. This condition can be profoundly debilitating, causing significant difficulties in maintaining balance and hearing, severely impacting a veteran’s ability to work and perform daily activities.
VA Rating Percentages for Meniere’s Syndrome: 30%, 60%, and 100%. The most common rating is 30%.
#4. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Rated Up to 100%
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by severe, persistent fatigue that is not alleviated by rest and worsens with physical or mental activity. Veterans diagnosed with CFS can receive VA ratings up to 100% if the condition is debilitating enough to prevent them from working or performing daily tasks. Symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, memory issues, and headaches, significantly impacting a veteran’s quality of life and ability to function independently.
VA Rating Percentages for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 100%. The most common rating is 20%.
#5. Radiculopathy: Rated Up to 90%
Radiculopathy refers to pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating from the spine to the extremities due to compressed or irritated nerves. Veterans with severe radiculopathy can receive VA ratings up to 90%, particularly if the condition causes significant motor impairment, severe pain, or sensory loss. This condition can severely restrict mobility and dexterity, affecting a veteran’s ability to perform daily activities and maintain employment.
VA Rating Percentages for Radiculopathy: 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 90%. The most common rating is 20% for each limb affected.
#6. Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve (Sciatica): Rated Up to 80%
Sciatica is characterized by pain radiating along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. Severe cases, where sciatica causes significant pain, weakness, or functional impairment, can be rated up to 80%. This condition can be debilitating, affecting a veteran’s ability to walk, sit, or stand for extended periods, thus severely impacting their daily life and work capacity.
VA Rating Percentages for Sciatica: 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%. The most common rating is 20%.
#7. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Rated Up to 80%
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) involves chronic acid reflux, causing symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain. Veterans with severe GERD that significantly impairs their health, causing issues like esophageal stricture, Barrett’s esophagus, or severe weight loss, can receive VA ratings up to 80%. This condition can severely affect a veteran’s diet, sleep, and overall well-being, necessitating ongoing medical treatment.
VA Rating Percentages for GERD: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, and 80%. The most common rating is 30%.
#8. Peripheral Neuropathy: Rated Up to 80%
Peripheral neuropathy involves damage to the peripheral nerves, causing pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness, often in the hands and feet. Veterans with severe cases that significantly impair motor or sensory function can receive ratings up to 80%. This condition can affect a veteran’s balance, coordination, and ability to perform fine motor tasks, greatly impacting daily living and occupational abilities.
VA Rating Percentages for Peripheral neuropathy: 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%. The most common rating is 20%.
#9. Flat Feet (Pes Planus): Rated Up to 50%
Flat feet, or pes planus, is a condition where the arches of the feet are flattened, leading to pain and dysfunction. Veterans with severe bilateral flat feet, causing pronounced inward displacement and severe pain, can receive VA ratings up to 50%. This condition can significantly affect a veteran’s ability to walk, stand, or engage in physical activities, thus impacting their overall mobility and quality of life.
VA Rating Percentages for Flat Feet: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 50%. The most common rating is 20% for unilateral (one foot) and 30% for bilateral (both feet).
#10. Headaches: Rated Up to 50%
All types of headaches, including migraines, can be service-connected if they are linked to military service. Veterans experiencing prostrating attacks, occurring very frequently and causing severe economic inadaptability, can receive VA ratings up to 50%. These headaches can be debilitating, affecting a veteran’s ability to work, concentrate, and engage in daily activities, requiring ongoing medical management.
VA Rating Percentages for Headaches: 0%, 10%, 30%, and 50%. The most common rating is 30%.
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About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
